30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Rome Odunze (No. 5)
Every day from now right up through training camp, we're counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.
Next up at No. 5 is wide receiver Rome Odunze, who's poised for a breakout year after a modest rookie season as the third wideout in a dysfunctional offense.
Background
Position: Wide receiver
Age: 23
Experience: 2nd season
2025 cap hit: $5.16 million
2024 recap
The Bears drafted Odunze just eight spots after Caleb Williams in the 2025 NFL draft, and it was clear the franchise has high hopes for both top-10 picks. Odunze was the third wide receiver selected, but he didn't a breakout season like Malik Nabers of the New York Giants or Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Still, Odunze had a respectable rookie season with 54 receptions for 734 yards and three touchdowns despite being the third receiver behind veterans DJ Moore and Keenan Allen and in a dysfunctional offense marred by coaching ineptitude and poor offensive line play. He played the second-most snaps among Bears receivers and eclipsed 100 targets (101) on the season. Odunze had just two games with 100-plus receiving yards, but he showed a ton of potential -- including his chemistry with Williams -- in an expanded role in an improved offense.
2025 outlook
With Keenan Allen departing in free agency, Odunze is set to take on an expanded role as the second receiver behind DJ Moore. And with the arrival of new head coach Ben Johnson, Odunze is poised to be one of the biggest beneficiaries. He should benefit from the coaching additions of Johnson and receivers coach Antwaan Randle-El, as well as continuing to build his chemistry with Caleb Williams. Chicago used a premium draft selection on Odunze with the belief that he can develop into a playmaker for this offense for years to come -- and serve as a dynamic duo with quarterback Caleb Williams. Perhaps Odunze fills the Amon-Ra St. Brown role in this Ben Johnson offense. And there are some who believe Odunze could even pass up Moore as WR1 at some point this season.
Big question: Will Odunze have a breakout year under Ben Johnson?
Throughout the offseason, many NFL analysts have pegged Odunze as a breakout contender for the 2025 season. And it's easy to see why. Odunze flashed potential as the third receiver in a struggling offense. Now, he gets one of the NFL's best offensive minds in Ben Johnson to lead the way. Odunze was underutilized as a rookie, and Johnson is exactly the guy to maximize the young wideout's skillset. While there are a number of weapons on this roster and just one ball to go around, Odunze should wind up being a top target for Caleb Williams as the young duo continues to build their chemistry. The Bears brought Johnson to Chicago to revive this team -- and the offense -- and there's no one better to get the most out of Odunze than Johnson and receivers coach/assistant head coach Antwaan Randle-El.
30 Most Important Bears of 2025
#30 - RB Roschon Johnson
#29 - QB Case Keenum
#28 - K Cairo Santos
#27 - DT Andrew Billings
#26 - CB Tyrique Stevenson
#25 - WR Luther Burden III
#24 - RG Jonah Jackson
#23 - LB Tremaine Edmunds
#22 - DE Dayo Odeyingbo
#21 - S Kevin Byard
#20 - S Jaquan Brisker
#19 - LB T.J. Edwards
#18 - TE Cole Kmet
#17 - DT Grady Jarrett
#16 - DT Gervon Dexter
#15 - RB D'Andre Swift
#14 - TE Colston Loveland
#13 - OT Ozzy Trapilo
#12 - OT Braxton Jones
#11 - WR DJ Moore
#10 CB Kyler Gordon
#9 - OT Darnell Wright
#8 - DE Montez Sweat
#7 - C Drew Dalman
#6 - CB Jaylon Johnson
#5 - WR Rome Odunze
#4 - Coming 7/26
#3 - Coming 7/27
#2 - Coming 7/28
#1 - Coming 7/29
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Most Important Bears of 2025: Rome Odunze (No. 5)
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